The Rangitikei River, it's headwaters located to the southeast of Lake Taupo in the Kaimanawa Ranges stretches 185 kilometres, making it one of the New Zealand's longest rivers

It flows from the Central Plateau south past Taihape, Mangaweka, Hunterville, Marton, Bulls and to the South Taranaki Bight at Tangimoana, 40 kilometres southeast of Wanganui. The river gives its name to the surrounding Rangitikei District. In 1897 the river flooded and all six bridges over it were damaged or destroyed. The port at the mouth of the river was also washed away and never rebuilt

The river is a popular leisure and recreation area for jetboating, white water rafting, kayaking, fishing and includes public camping grounds along its banks. Its sheer vertical paapa (clay) cliffs, unique to this part of New Zealand, and deep canyons provide the perfect setting for adventure activities. The lush green bush is the crowning glory of my country and in its depths the tui and bellbird sing the purest song of them all

The river in the painting flows out of the bush, cutting deep into the white paapa clay to make cliffs that catch the sun and the moon all along its course Text: Peter McIntyre's Pacific, A H & A W Reed 1966